Smoking pipe

ABSTRACT

A smoking pipe is described having a condensing chamber for collecting and trapping tar, nicotine, water and other condensate resulting from the products of combustion. The condensing chamber is formed inside of the tubular stem of the pipe. A mouthpiece is detachably connected to the stem with a fluid-tight connection to prevent the condensate from leaking out of the condensing chamber. An extension of the mouthpiece projects inside the condensing chamber to prevent the bitter condensate from passing through the smoke bore inside the mouthpiece and into the mouth of a smoker. Condensate in the smoking chamber is prevented from leaking into the tobacco-receiving bowl by means of a centerbored screw which extends from the bowl of a substantial distance inside the condensing chamber.

United States Patent Weaver 51 July 11, 1972 SMOKING PIPE [22] Filed:March 18, 1970 [21] Appl.No.: 20,659

[52] U.S.Cl. ..l3l/2l2 R, 131/225, 285/110 [51] Int. Cl....MW...............A.....A24I01/08 [58] FieldofSeareh..13l/l73,l94,l96,2ll,2l2, 131/225; 285/1 10; 138/89 [56] ReferencesCited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,200,237 5/1940 Kirsten ..1 31/1942.269.541 l/l942 MacDonald. I 31/196 2,519,823 8/1950 Comett .131/196 X3,l63,l68 12/1964 Lytton ..l3l/l73 3,360,283 l2/l967 Guthrie i 4..285l110 3,502,086 3/1970 Smith et al. .13 H225 X 3,256,890 6/1966 Jany..13l/l73 FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 18,854 0/1914 Great Britain..l3 l/l73 Primary Examiner-Joseph S. Reich Attorney-Arnold, Roylance,Kruger and Durkee, Paul Van Slyke, Torn Arnold, Frank S. Vaden, 111,Robert A. White and Arnold, White and Durkee [$7] ABSTRACT A smokingpipe is described having a condensing chamber for collecting andtrapping tar, nicotine. water and other condensate resulting from theproducts of combustion. The condensing chamber is famed inside of thetubular stem of the pipe. A mouthpiece is detachably connected to thestem with a fluid-tight connection to prevent the condensate fromleaking out of the condensing chamber. An extension of the mouthpieceprojects inside the condensing chamber to prevent the bitter condensatefrom passing through the smoke bore inside the mouthpiece and into themouth of a smoker Condensate in the smoking chamber is prevented fromleaking into me tobacco-receiving bowl by means of a center-bored screwwhich extends from the bowl of a substantial distance inside thecondensing chamber.

3 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures PlflTENTEDJuLn I972 3.675.661

FIG. 3

William R Weaver INVENTOR BY Amwfd, Mm & Uwuhe ATTORNE VS SMOKING PIPEBACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to pipes for smokingtobacco, and more particularly, to an improved pipe having means tocollect and trap the condensate resulting from the products ofcombustion and prevent them from reaching the mouth of the smoker.

In the smoking of tobacco by the implement of a pipe, moisture, tar,nicotine, juices and other condensate result from the combustion of thetobacco. Such condensate is wellknown to smokers who have resorted tovarious means to filter or to trap it. After even a brief period ofnormal smoking of a pipe. say on the order of three or four days, thecondensate fonns a sticky mass which clogs the smoking passages andclogs the parts of the pipe such as the joint between the mouthpiece andthe stem.

One of the undesirable features about most pipes is that the condensatewhich has an extremely bitter taste collects in the smoke passages ofthe pipe and leaks into the mouth of the smoker. Such condensate oftenleaks through the bowl and through the mouthpiece when the pipe is notbeing smoked. For example, the smoker may carry his pipe in his pocketand the moisture and other condensate may leak out into his pocket andstain his clothing.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to an improved smokingpipe having a condensing chamber arrangement for the products ofcombustion. Only a simple number of component parts are used toconstruct the pipe so that it is inexpensive to manufacture and isconvenient to maintain and keep clean. The improved pipe uses no filtersor other parts which require replacement or cleaning. The inventionpermits a pipe to be carried in a smoker's pocket when it is not beingsmoked without the possibility of drainage of condensate which mightstain his clothing.

As an additional feature, the pipe which embodies the present inventioncan be smoked in an inclined position as when the smoker is lying in bedor in a reclining chair without the drainage of the bitter juices intothe smokers mouth.

One specific form of a pipe embodying the present inven tion ischaracterized by a tobacco-receiving bowl which is secured to the sideof a tubular stem. A smoke conduit extends from the bowl into the stemand projects beyond the inside wall of the stem. The stem is preferablyconstructed of a material such as metal which is capable of radiatingheat so that the stem is able to act as a condensing chamber for themoisture and other condensate. The condensing chamber formed by the stemis provided with an assembly which acts as a trap for such condensate toprevent it from leaking out. The forward end of the tubular stem isclosed by an end cap and the rearward end is closed by the mouthpiecewhich is formed to prevent leakage of the condensate through the smokepassage of the mouthpiece into the mouth of the smoker. The mouthpieceis provided with a shoulder which abuts against the rearward end of thetubular stem. The central core of the mouthpiece which fits snuglyinside the tubular stem is provided with a resilient rim on its forwardend. Such resilient rim provides for a fluid-tight connection to preventthe leakage of condensate outside of the tubular stern. Condensate isprevented from passing into the mouth of the smoker by means of aprojection on the central core of the mouthpiece which extends into thecondensing chamber. A smoke passage is defined by an axial bore whichextends through the mouthpiece into the central projection. Condensatewhich is collected inside of the condensing chamber is trapped aroundthe base of the central projection and is not able to flow inside thesmoke passage of the mouthpiece. The end cap at the forward end of thetubular stem is also preferably provided with a radially outer.resilient lip which provides a fluid-tight seal to prevent the leakageof condensate.

By means of the combination of the end cap and the sealing arrangementwith the mouthpiece, together with the projection of the conduit fromthe bowl, condensate is trapped inside the tubular stem which forms thecondensing chamber. However, the condensate is easily removed from thepipe by removal of the mouthpiece to permit the condensate to drain.When there is a large collection of solid materials in the condensingchamber, the pipe can be readily cleaned by the removal of both the endcap and the mouthpiece and the running of a plunger with a cleaningelement through the tubular stem.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The invention will be furtherexplained by way of a specific example with reference to theaccompanying drawing in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a pipe embodying the invention;

PEG. 2 is a partial cross sectional view taken along lines 2- 2 in FIG.1;

FIG. 3 is a partially enlarged cross sectional view taken along lines3-3 in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a partially enlarged cross sectional view of an end portion ofthe tubular stem and an end portion of the mouthpiece assembly in thedisassembled position; and

FIG. 5 is a partial cross sectional view of the mouthpiece and stemjuncture showing how the mouthpiece prevents the leakage of condensateinto the smoke passage of the mouthpiece.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Referring now to FIGS. 1, 2 and 3,there is illustrated a pipe having a tobacco-receiving bowl 10, a stem12 and a mouthpiece 14. In the form illustrated, the stem 12 is atubular metal element which is adapted to fonn a condensing chamber 13for the products of combustion. The condensing chamber can, of course,take other shapes and be constructed of materials other than metal. Thecondensing chamber 13 is closed at the forward end by a cap 16 and atthe rearward end by the closure element of the mouthpiece 14.

The smoke conduit from the bowl 10 is shown in the form of a threadedscrew 18 having a center bore 20. Screw 18 has a threaded shank 22 whichis received in corresponding threading in the upper wall of the stem 12.The screw 18 serves the dual purpose of securing the bowl 10 to the stem12 and also defining the smoke passage from the bowl through the centerbore 20 into condensing chamber 13. The screw 18 is provided at its headwith cross slots 24 which are designed to prevent clogging of the smokepassage by shreds of tobacco. Thus, even if the center bore 20 becomesclogged by shreds of tobacco, smoke can enter laterally through theslots 24 and down through the bore 20. The bottom or base portion of thebowl 10 is provided with a notch to receive the stem 12 and provide apleasantly appearing, wrap-around effect.

Referring now to FIGS. 2 and 4. the mouthpiece assembly includes acylindrical core 28 which fits inside of the tubular stem 12 with afriction or press fit. A shoulder 30 on the mouthpiece assembly abutsagainst the rearward end of the tubular stem 12 to provide a wiggle-freefit. The outer end of the core 28 includes a resilient rim 32 which hasa diameter slightly larger than the inner portion of core 28. Theresilient rim 32 provides for a fluid-tight coupling between themouthpiece l4 and the tubular stem 12, and also permits themanufacturing tolerance between the inside diameter of the tubular stem12 and the core 28 to be less rigorous.

The mouthpiece assembly includes a central projection 36, which extendsforwardly beyond the end of the resilient rim 32 inside the condensingchamber 13. Central projection 36 prevents the leakage of condensatefrom the condensing chamber 13 through the smoke passage 37 in themouthpiece 14 and into the mouth of the smoker. FIG. 5 illustrates thetrapping of condensate 40 around the central projection 36 when the pipeis in an inclined position. The combination of the central projection 36and the fluid tight seal provided by the resilient lip 32 preventsleakage of condensate either through the smoke passage into the mouth ofthe smoker or around the fitting between the mouthpiece l4 and the steml 2.

The end cap 16 is preferably provided with a resilient sealing lip 42which is similar in construction to the sealing lip 32 on the mouthpiece14. Thus the end cap 16 forms a fluid-tight connection at the forwardend of the condensing chamber 13. A shoulder 44 on the end cap 16 abutsthe forward end of the tubular stem 12 to enable a rigid coupling.

In view of the foregoing, it can be seen that the condensing chamberformed by the tubular stem and associated elements provides for a trapof condensate. Should the pipe be turned in an inverted position thecondensate will collect around the shank of the screw 18 and will notpass through the axial bore 20 into the bowl 10. At the same time,however, the condensate is easily discharged by removal of themouthpiece 14.

As a modification of the invention, the condensing chamber 13 can befilled with an absorbent material or filter such as silica gel granulesor paper tissue. in this manner, the smoke passing through thecondensing chamber can be dehydrated and filtered to produce a clear,dry, smoke pleasing to a smoker.

What is claimed is:

l. A smoking pipe comprising:

a tobacco-receiving bowl;

a tubular stem formed of a material conducive to the radiation of heat,said stem having an inside wall defining a condensing chamber therein,said stern having a forward end and a rearward end, said stem beingsecured in smoke-feeding relation to said bowl near the forward end;

a conduit extending from said bowl into said stem for flow of smoketherethrough, said conduit extending beyond the inside wall of saidstem;

a mouthpiece assembly detachably fitted to the rearward end of saidstem, said mouthpiece assembly including a central core having a smoothouter surface, said stem having a constant inside diameter over aportion adapted to frictionally engage said central core; said centralcore having an inward conical taper extending rearwardly from itsforward end and toward its longitudinal axis, the outer surface of saidcentral core having a resilient annular lip flaring smoothly radiallyoutwardly to a diameter larger than the inside diameter of said stemwhen said central core is disengaged from said stem, said resilientannular lip being adapted to be distorted to fit the inside diameter ofsaid stem when said central core is engaged with said stern, saidresilient annular lip being formed adjacent said conical taper,

an extension of said mouthpiece projecting into said condensing chamberbeyond the forward end of said resilient annular lip along thelongitudinal axis of said central core,

said mouthpiece assembly having an axial bore extending through saidextension and said central core to provide a passageway for smoke.

2. A smoking pipe as defined in claim 1 further comprising:

a closure for the forward end of said stem, said closure having ashoulder which abuts the end of said stem and a cylindrical, smoothouter surface, the forward end of said stem having a smooth innersurface adapted to frictionally engage said closure, the outwardextremity of said outer surface of said closure forming a resilient lipwhich flares smoothly to a diameter larger than the inner surface ofsaid stem when said closure is disengaged.

3. A smoking pipe comprising:

a tubular stem having a forward end and a rearward end;

a tobacco-receiving bowl secured in smoke-feeding relation to the sideof said stem near the forward end thereof;

a mouthpiece assembly fitted to the rearward end of said stem, saidmouthpiece assembly having an axial bore for the passage of smoketherethrough; and a closure for the forward end of said stem, saidclosure having a shoulder which abuts the forward end of said stem and asubstantially cylindrical portion having a diameter that is less thanthat of said shoulder and which fits snugly inside said stem, theradially outward extremity of said cylindrical portion of reduceddiameter having a resilient lip of slightly larger diameter than theinner portion thereof.

1 Q I i l

1. A smoking pipe comprising: a tobacco-receiving bowl; a tubular stemformed of a material conducive to the radiation of heat, said stemhaving an inside wall defining a condensing chamber therein, said stemhaving a forward end and a rearward end, said stem being secured insmoke-feeding relation to said bowl near the forward end; a conduitextending from said bowl into said stem for flow of smoke therethrough,said conduit extending beyond the inside wall of said stem; a mouthpieceassembly detachably fitted to the rearward end of said stem, saidmouthpiece assembly including a central core having a smooth outersurface, said stem having a constant inside diameter over a portionadapted to frictionally engage said central core; said central corehaving an inward conical taper extending rearwardly from its forward endand toward its longitudinal axis, the outer surface of said central corehaving a resilient annular lip flaring smoothly radially outwardly to adiameter larger than the inside diameter of said stem when said centralcore is disengaged from said stem, said resilient annular lip beingadapted to be distorted to fit the inside diameter of said stem whensaid central core is engaged with said stem, said resilient annular lipbeing formed adjacent sAid conical taper, an extension of saidmouthpiece projecting into said condensing chamber beyond the forwardend of said resilient annular lip along the longitudinal axis of saidcentral core, said mouthpiece assembly having an axial bore extendingthrough said extension and said central core to provide a passageway forsmoke.
 2. A smoking pipe as defined in claim 1 further comprising: aclosure for the forward end of said stem, said closure having a shoulderwhich abuts the end of said stem and a cylindrical, smooth outersurface, the forward end of said stem having a smooth inner surfaceadapted to frictionally engage said closure, the outward extremity ofsaid outer surface of said closure forming a resilient lip which flaressmoothly to a diameter larger than the inner surface of said stem whensaid closure is disengaged.
 3. A smoking pipe comprising: a tubular stemhaving a forward end and a rearward end; a tobacco-receiving bowlsecured in smoke-feeding relation to the side of said stem near theforward end thereof; a mouthpiece assembly fitted to the rearward end ofsaid stem, said mouthpiece assembly having an axial bore for the passageof smoke therethrough; and a closure for the forward end of said stem,said closure having a shoulder which abuts the forward end of said stemand a substantially cylindrical portion having a diameter that is lessthan that of said shoulder and which fits snugly inside said stem, theradially outward extremity of said cylindrical portion of reduceddiameter having a resilient lip of slightly larger diameter than theinner portion thereof.